Birmingham | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/birmingham
Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Tue, 03 Mar 2015 20:31:46 GMT2015-03-03T20:31:46Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
Regional newspaper titles suffer yet more substantial sales declineshttp://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2015/feb/25/regional-newspaper-titles-suffer-yet-more-substantial-sales-declines
<p>But all publishers can point to the fact that their audiences are moving online</p><p>Sales of regional newspapers, meaning their newsprint versions, declined further in the final six months of 2014, according to the latest figures realised by ABC.</p><p>That, in itself, is hardly surprising. But the overall fall among the daily titles does appear to be accelerating. Again, that’s to be expected as more and more people are choosing to read their news online.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2015/feb/25/regional-newspaper-titles-suffer-yet-more-substantial-sales-declines">Continue reading...</a>MediaNewspapersRegional & local newspapersABCsNewsquestJohnston PressLocal WorldTrinity MirrorUK newsNewspapers & magazinesDigital mediaBirminghamWed, 25 Feb 2015 13:16:53 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2015/feb/25/regional-newspaper-titles-suffer-yet-more-substantial-sales-declinesRoy Greenslade2015-02-25T13:16:53ZWest Midlands police face swingeing cutshttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/22/west-midlands-police-face-swingeing-cuts
<p>Expected reduction of 2,500 frontline officers would shrink force to smallest in its 40-year history – back to 1974 levels</p><p>Britain’s second biggest police force is facing a reduction of 2,500 frontline officers following government cuts that will shrink West Midlands police to the smallest service in its 40-year history.</p><p>In an interview with the Guardian, the deputy chief constable, Dave Thompson, said the force had lost 1,500 officers in the past five years with a further 1,000 posts expected to be axed if the current rate of cuts continues.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/22/west-midlands-police-face-swingeing-cuts">Continue reading...</a>PoliceUK newsBirminghamCoventryWolverhamptonPolice and crime commissionersEmergency servicesPublic sector cutsSocietySun, 22 Feb 2015 15:34:47 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/22/west-midlands-police-face-swingeing-cutsPhotograph: Joe Giddens/PAA West Midlands police officer. Senior officers expect severe cuts regardless of who wins this May’s general election.Photograph: Joe Giddens/PAA West Midlands police officer. Senior officers expect severe cuts regardless of who wins this May’s general election.Josh Halliday2015-02-22T15:34:47ZUK's 'gun crime capital': rancour and regret over West Midlands labelhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/20/uks-gun-capital-rancour-and-regret-over-west-midlands-label
<p>Figures from Office for National Statistics show the region has highest rate of firearms offences per head, but West Midlands police say data is misleading</p><p>About two miles north of Birmingham city centre, in the shadows of Aston Villa’s football stadium, a former gang elder struggles to count the number of times he’s been shot at. </p><p>“Loads. Loads,” says Simeon “Zimbo” Moore, 32, a former member of the Johnson Crew, one of Birmingham’s most notorious gangs. “When I was 18, 19, there was shootings every day.” <br /></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/20/uks-gun-capital-rancour-and-regret-over-west-midlands-label">Continue reading...</a>BirminghamGun crimeCrimePoliceFri, 20 Feb 2015 13:07:19 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/20/uks-gun-capital-rancour-and-regret-over-west-midlands-labelPhotograph: David Sillitoe for the GuardianSimeon Moore: ‘When I was 18, 19, there was shootings every day.’Photograph: David Sillitoe for the GuardianSimeon Moore: ‘When I was 18, 19, there was shootings every day.’Photograph: David Sillitoe for the GuardianGleen Reid, whose 28-year-old son was shot dead outside a Birmingham nightclub in 2001.Photograph: David Sillitoe for the GuardianGleen Reid, whose 28-year-old son was shot dead outside a Birmingham nightclub in 2001.Josh Halliday2015-02-20T13:07:19ZWhy Giles Coren has got Birmingham’s food scene all wronghttp://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2015/feb/06/why-giles-coren-got-birminghams-food-scene-all-wrong
<p>The Times restaurant critic said Birmingham’s restaurants were ‘a bit rubbish’. The editor of Dine Birmingham begs to differ …</p><p>​On Thursday, there was a rerun of the media’s oldest food fight, starring its favourite protagonist. The BBC <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31113933">published a story</a> about the Times&nbsp;restaurant critic Giles Coren slating food outside London. “Honestly, if I’m going out of London to eat, it’s more productive to leave the country,” he moaned.</p><p>Getting needlessly and cruelly specific, he went on to say that Birmingham was “just a bit rubbish”. Same for poor old Leeds, while Liverpool “was worse”. Oh dear. Cue a Twitter storm from <a href="https://twitter.com/bbcwm/status/563277108659908608">angry Brummies</a> taking exception, <a href="http://twitter.com/Dine_Birmingham">myself included</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2015/feb/06/why-giles-coren-got-birminghams-food-scene-all-wrong">Continue reading...</a>RestaurantsFood & drinkLife and styleBirminghamGiles CorenMediaFri, 06 Feb 2015 14:54:35 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2015/feb/06/why-giles-coren-got-birminghams-food-scene-all-wrongPhotograph: Jeff Blackler/Rex FeaturesThese days, Birmingham is about more than the balti.Photograph: Jeff Blackler/Rex FeaturesThese days, Birmingham is about more than the balti.Photograph: JAB Promotions/Rex FeaturesPhotograph: JAB Promotions/Rex FeaturesAhmed Ahmed2015-02-06T14:54:35ZA great beginning: Angolan artist Nástio Mosquito’s show in Birminghamhttp://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/feb/04/great-beginning-angolan-artist-nastio-mosquito-show-ikon-birmingham
Joint winner of the International Future Generation Art Prize, the future star of the art world has his first solo exhibition at the Ikon Gallery<p>If the Angolan artist <a href="http://nastiomosquito.com/">N&aacute;stio Mosquito</a> does become the big name that many predict then Birmingham will have proved a crucial early step. “It feels like a great beginning,” he said. “It is the start of something. This is the first chapter of my empowerment of a generation, a five chapter novel … I’ll have to find a snappier name.”</p><p>Mosquito was speaking before the opening of a new show at the <a href="http://ikon-gallery.org/event/8096/">Ikon Gallery</a>, his first solo exhibition.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/26/ten-african-artists-to-look-out-for">Ten African artists to look out for</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/feb/04/great-beginning-angolan-artist-nastio-mosquito-show-ikon-birmingham">Continue reading...</a>ArtArt and designAngolaCultureVenice BiennaleAfricaBirminghamUK newsWed, 04 Feb 2015 17:07:33 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/feb/04/great-beginning-angolan-artist-nastio-mosquito-show-ikon-birminghamPhotograph: courtesy Ikon Gallery, Birmingham.Nástia’s Manifesto (2008).Photograph: courtesy Ikon Gallery, Birmingham.Nástia’s Manifesto (2008).Photograph: Nástio MosquitoNástio Mosquito in a still from his video installation 3 Continents (2010). Photograph: Nástio MosquitoPhotograph: Nástio MosquitoNástio Mosquito in a still from his video installation 3 Continents (2010). Photograph: Nástio MosquitoMark Brown, arts correspondent2015-02-04T17:07:33ZSplendidly sturdy George Bellows nude is bought by Barber Institutehttp://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/feb/03/george-bellows-nude-barber-institute-warhol
Miss Bentham, once owned by Andy Warhol, becomes second work by the American painter to enter a British collection<p>The splendidly sturdy Miss Bentham, a painting by the American George Bellows which was once owned by Andy Warhol, has become the first nude acquired by the renowned collection of the <a href="http://barber.org.uk" title="">Barber Institute</a> in Birmingham, where she joins works by Botticelli, Rubens, Van Dyck, Van Gogh and Picasso.</p><p>It is only the second work by the painter, regarded as one of the greatest of early 20th-century American artists and much better known for his gritty urban and brutally realistic boxing scenes than for naked ladies, to enter a British collection.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/feb/03/george-bellows-nude-barber-institute-warhol">Continue reading...</a>ArtPaintingArt and designCultureBirminghamMuseumsUK newsTue, 03 Feb 2015 15:17:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/feb/03/george-bellows-nude-barber-institute-warholPhotograph: prDetail from Miss Bentham, by the American painter George Bellows. Acquired for the Barber Institute of Fine Arts from a private collection by the Henry Barber TrustPhotograph: asfdsaPhotograph: asfdsaMaev Kennedy2015-02-03T15:17:00ZBirmingham school unites faiths: not through grand gestures but hard workhttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/jan/28/-sp-st-alban-birmingham-academy-multi-faith-integration
St Alban’s C of E academy, in city reeling from Trojan horse scandal, highlights common bits shared by religions in effort to truly integrate communities<p>It is Friday morning at <a href="http://stalbansacademy.org">St Alban’s Church of England academy</a> in Highgate, a gleaming new &pound;17.6m building whose colourful exterior spreads a warm glow over this deprived corner of Birmingham.</p><p>The school, where the vast majority of students are Muslim, is a stone’s throw from Birmingham central mosque, one of the largest Islamic centres in western Europe, and a short bus ride from the schools thrown into turmoil last year by allegations of a hardline Islamist takeover – <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/oct/31/micky-morgan-muslims-school-governors-trojan-horse-birmingham">the so-called Trojan horse affair</a>.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/gallery/2015/jan/28/st-albans-ark-academy-in-birmingham-in-pictures">St Alban's ARK Academy in Birmingham – in pictures</a> </p><p>We have more confidence in tackling issues head on. We have a clear rationale … We know what we are doing</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/jan/28/-sp-st-alban-birmingham-academy-multi-faith-integration">Continue reading...</a>SchoolsEducationBirminghamUK newsIslamReligionChristianityWed, 28 Jan 2015 14:11:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/jan/28/-sp-st-alban-birmingham-academy-multi-faith-integrationPhotograph: NewsteamStudents take a break at the canteen.Photograph: NewsteamStudents take a break at the canteen.Photograph: NewsteamHead teacher David Gould says people’s faiths have more in common than many think.Photograph: NewsteamHead teacher David Gould says people’s faiths have more in common than many think.Photograph: Newsteam/NewsteamA pupil walks past an excerpt from the Qur’an, with more daubed on walls throughout the school.Photograph: Newsteam/NewsteamA pupil walks past an excerpt from the Qur’an, with more daubed on walls throughout the school.Photograph: NewsteamStudents relax in the canteen at St Alban’s academy in Birmingham. Photograph: NewsteamPhotograph: NewsteamStudents relax in the canteen at St Alban’s academy in Birmingham. Photograph: NewsteamSally Weale, education correspondent2015-01-28T14:11:16ZPower to the postwar: architecture's most scorned era finally gets some lovehttp://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2015/jan/28/-sp-power-to-the-postwar-architectures-most-scorned-era-finally-gets-some-love-listed
<p>It may not have given rise to many beloved landmarks, but this week, 14 office blocks from the postwar era got listed status. And they’re an innovative bunch, from a space-age tower of Pisa to the hanging gardens of Basingstoke</p><p>One of them leans out precipitously into the street, the sharp white teeth of its stacked arcades framing sleek bands of tinted windows. From across the road, its curving prow recalls a top-heavy tower of Pisa with a space-age twist, as if the Imperial stormtroopers’ HQ has had a makeover. Fifty miles away, another emerges from a tangle of shrubbery in a business park, a multi-storey slab that looks like it’s been overtaken by nature. Foliage drips from its cascading terraces in the manner of a modernist Angkor Wat.</p><p>Both <a href="http://www.c20society.org.uk/100-buildings/1977-30-cannon-street-london/">30 Cannon Street</a>, in the City of London, and <a href="http://www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk/explore/items/mountbatten-house-hanging-gardens-basingstoke-0">Gateway House</a> – aka “the hanging gardens of Basingstoke” – are extraordinary examples of what an office building can be. And this week, they received just acknowledgement in the form of Grade II-listed status.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2015/jan/28/-sp-power-to-the-postwar-architectures-most-scorned-era-finally-gets-some-love-listed">Continue reading...</a>ArchitectureDesignArt and designHeritageCultureBusinessLondonLeedsNewcastleBirminghamLiverpoolWed, 28 Jan 2015 11:14:37 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2015/jan/28/-sp-power-to-the-postwar-architectures-most-scorned-era-finally-gets-some-love-listedPhotograph: Steven Baker/English HeritageThe paradigm of the sleek glass box in a park … IBM Pilot Head Office (1970-71), Cosham, Portsmouth, by Foster Associates.Photograph: Steven Baker/English HeritageThe paradigm of the sleek glass box in a park … IBM Pilot Head Office (1970-71), Cosham, Portsmouth, by Foster Associates.Photograph: James O Davies/English HeritageModernist Angkor Wat … ‘The hanging gardens of Basingstoke’ – aka Gateway House – is among 14 newly listed postwar office buildings.Photograph: James O Davies/English HeritageModernist Angkor Wat … ‘The hanging gardens of Basingstoke’ – aka Gateway House – is among 14 newly listed postwar office buildings.Oliver Wainwright2015-01-28T11:14:37ZAlleged murderer Leo Barnes found dead in prison cellhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jan/26/alleged-murderer-leo-barnes-found-dead-prison-cell
Barnes was on trial in Wolverhampton for the murders of Cynthia Beamond, 80 and Philip Silverstone, 67<p>An alleged killer who was accused of murdering two pensioners has been found dead in his prison cell. It is thought he killed himself.</p><p>Leo Barnes from Balsall Heath was on trial for the murders of Cynthia Beamond and Philip Silverstone.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jan/26/alleged-murderer-leo-barnes-found-dead-prison-cell">Continue reading...</a>UK newsBirminghamMon, 26 Jan 2015 09:02:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jan/26/alleged-murderer-leo-barnes-found-dead-prison-cellPhotograph: West Midlands police/PACynthia Beamond's family have spoken of their devastation after the man accused of killing her was found dead. Photograph: West Midlands police/PAPhotograph: West Midlands police/PACynthia Beamond's family have spoken of their devastation after the man accused of killing her was found dead. Photograph: West Midlands police/PAPress Association2015-01-26T09:02:02ZExploding manhole cover in Birmingham almost hits child - videohttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2015/jan/23/exploding-manhole-cover-birmingham-child-video
CCTV footage shows the moment a young child was almost hit by a manhole cover in Birmingham after it exploded. The explosion, which is thought to have been caused by a buildup of gas, threw the metal cover into the air, narrowly missing the child. The incident happened on Wednesday as the family walked past the manhole <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2015/jan/23/exploding-manhole-cover-birmingham-child-video">Continue reading...</a>BirminghamUK newsFri, 23 Jan 2015 13:07:38 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2015/jan/23/exploding-manhole-cover-birmingham-child-videoguardian.co.uk140x84 trailpic for Exploding manhole cover in Birmingham almost hits child - videoGuardian Staff2015-01-23T13:07:38ZFox News apologises for terror pundit’s ‘Birmingham totally Muslim’ commentshttp://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/18/fox-news-apologises-terror-pundit-birmingham-muslim-comments
<p>Steven Emerson was labelled ‘a complete idiot’ by Cameron and mocked on Twitter after saying city was no-go area for non-Muslims</p><p>US TV channel Fox News has made an on-air apology after <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/11/fox-news-steven-emerson-birmingham-muslims" title="">a terrorism pundit described Birmingham as a no-go area for non-Muslims</a>.</p><p>Steven Emerson, billed as an expert on terrorism-related issues, was described by <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/12/fox-news-expert-ridiculed-over-birmingham-is-totally-muslim-city-claims" title="">the prime minister, David Cameron, as “a complete idiot” </a>and was widely mocked by Twitter users after informing viewers the city was “totally Muslim” and was not visited by people of other faiths.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/18/fox-news-apologises-terror-pundit-birmingham-muslim-comments">Continue reading...</a>Fox NewsFoxBirminghamTV newsTelevision industryUS television industryMediaUS newsWorld newsUK newsSun, 18 Jan 2015 14:40:42 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/18/fox-news-apologises-terror-pundit-birmingham-muslim-commentsPhotograph: Fox NewsScreengrab of Steven Emerson speaking on Fox News about Birmingham. Photograph: Fox NewsPhotograph: Fox NewsScreengrab of Steven Emerson speaking on Fox News about Birmingham. Photograph: Fox NewsPress Association2015-01-18T14:40:42ZBirmingham’s NEC Group to be sold to private equity company for £307mhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jan/16/birminghams-nec-group-sold-private-equity-company-307m
Sale includes National Exhibition Centre, Barclaycard Arena, Genting Arena and International Convention Centre<p>The National Exhibition Centre is to be sold to a private equity firm in a &pound;307m deal. Birmingham city council, which is grappling with a &pound;1bn equal pay settlement, said it had found a buyer for the NEC Group, which owns some of the best-known conference and live music venues in the UK.</p><p>LDC will take over in April, with council leader Sir Albert Bore calling it a landmark deal that would allow the business to go from strength to strength.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jan/16/birminghams-nec-group-sold-private-equity-company-307m">Continue reading...</a>BirminghamBusinessUK newsCruftsFri, 16 Jan 2015 17:50:18 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jan/16/birminghams-nec-group-sold-private-equity-company-307mPhotograph: Christopher ThomondBackstage at Crufts dog show in 2014. The NEC in Birmingham has hosted the annual competition since 1991. Photograph: Christopher ThomondPhotograph: Christopher ThomondBackstage at Crufts dog show in 2014. The NEC in Birmingham has hosted the annual competition since 1991. Photograph: Christopher ThomondPress Association2015-01-16T17:50:18ZCadbury cuts 250 jobs in Birminghamhttp://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jan/15/cadbury-cuts-250-jobs-birmingham
A £75m investment in new equipment will secure the future of the Bournville factory, say owners Kraft<p>About 250 jobs are being cut at Cadbury’s factory in Birmingham alongside a &pound;75m investment in new equipment that the company says will secure the future of Bournville.</p><p>About 50 people have already left and another 200 have agreed to take voluntary redundancy over the next two years, as part of a deal agreed with the Unite union. The workers are mostly in their mid to late 50s and will leave with average payoffs of &pound;100,000, according to Unite. It hailed it as a historic deal that would secure the future of the Bournville factory for the next 25 years. It comes almost exactly five years after Kraft’s controversial takeover of Cadbury, which led to the closure of the Somerdale factory near Bristol in 2011.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jan/15/cadbury-cuts-250-jobs-birmingham">Continue reading...</a>CadburyKraftBusinessBirminghamUK newsJob lossesUniteTrade unionsPoliticsThu, 15 Jan 2015 13:00:19 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jan/15/cadbury-cuts-250-jobs-birminghamPhotograph: Mondelez International/PAThe Bournville factory in Birmingham. Photograph: Mondelez International/PAPhotograph: Mondelez International/PAThe Bournville factory in Birmingham. Photograph: Mondelez International/PAJulia Kollewe2015-01-15T13:00:19ZHow did Fox News' Birmingham blunder make it to air? Because everything does | Joe Mutohttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/12/fox-news-birmingham-blunder-make-it-to-air
<p>For some hosts and producers at a network that traffics in outrage and over-the-top, factually questionable claims, Steven Emerson is an irresistible guest</p><p>Where does Fox News get its facts? I could show you, but we’d need an extra-powerful flashlight and several cocktails to loosen up <a href="https://twitter.com/sdoocy">Steve Doocy</a>.</p><p>Now that I’ve ruined your day by putting the thought of that horrifying, hypothetical spelunking excursion in your head, let me hit you with a totally unsurprising and predictable bit of information: Fox is making headlines this week for a wildly inaccurate assertion made on its air. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/12/fox-news-birmingham-blunder-make-it-to-air">Continue reading...</a>Fox NewsFoxTelevision industryUS television industryTV newsIslamBirminghamMon, 12 Jan 2015 22:25:42 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/12/fox-news-birmingham-blunder-make-it-to-airPhotograph: Fox News/PAEmerson said “there are actual cities like Birmingham that are totally Muslim, where non-Muslims just simply don’t go in”, while appearing on the Fox News channel.Photograph: Fox News/PAEmerson said “there are actual cities like Birmingham that are totally Muslim, where non-Muslims just simply don’t go in”, while appearing on the Fox News channel.Joe Muto2015-01-12T22:25:42ZWith Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown and Citizen Khan’s help, I’m creating a comedy databank for Islamic Birmingham | Stewart Leehttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/12/roy-chubby-brown-citizen-khan-islamic-birmingham-fox-news-steven-emerson
Fox News terrorism expert Steven Emerson claimed Britain’s second city was entirely Islamic. Will I have to adjust my jokes?<p>On Sunday, on Fox News, an American terrorism expert named Steven Emerson revealed that <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/12/fox-news-expert-ridiculed-over-birmingham-is-totally-muslim-city-claims" title="">the entire English city of Birmingham was a no-go area to non-Muslims</a>. I was worried, as I have a standup gig there as part of my Room With A Stew tour on 2 May, and last time I played my old home town, in 2014, the crowd, though reasonably diverse, was pleasingly weighted towards the educated middle-class white liberal Guardian-reading audience, which I pen occasional columns like this in order to cultivate.</p><p>Brief hijab counts in the merchandising desk queues after live shows proved that, on the last tour, The Lowry, Salford, was my most Islamic audience, and Totnes my least, though Devon folk retain the same suspicion of 21st-century life&nbsp;that characterises the vid-blogs of many Islamist commentators.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/12/roy-chubby-brown-citizen-khan-islamic-birmingham-fox-news-steven-emerson">Continue reading...</a>ComedyComedyBirminghamReligionUK newsMon, 12 Jan 2015 20:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/12/roy-chubby-brown-citizen-khan-islamic-birmingham-fox-news-steven-emersonPhotograph: BBC/Jay BrooksAdil Ray as Citizen Khan. Photograph: BBC/Jay BrooksPhotograph: BBC/Jay BrooksAdil Ray as Citizen Khan. Photograph: BBC/Jay BrooksStewart Lee2015-01-12T20:00:02ZBirmingham laughs off Fox News commentator’s caliphate claimhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jan/12/birmingham-laughs-off-fox-news-muslim-claim
At central mosque and in Balti Triangle, there is bafflement over suggestion that city is a no-go zone for non-Muslims<p>The train passengers’ calm consumption of crisps and bored checking of emails on the 11.43am to Birmingham suggested they hadn’t heard the news. Their destination, a city of more than a million people, had shockingly become Britain’s first caliphate and a no-go zone for non-Muslims – at least, according to an “expert” on Rupert Murdoch’s US-based Fox News channel.</p><p>“There are actual cities like Birmingham that are totally Muslim where non-Muslims just simply don’t go in,” Steve Emerson, a commentator on terrorism, told millions of viewers on Sunday.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jan/12/birmingham-laughs-off-fox-news-muslim-claim">Continue reading...</a>BirminghamUK newsIslamFox NewsMediaMon, 12 Jan 2015 19:23:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jan/12/birmingham-laughs-off-fox-news-muslim-claimPhotograph: Edd Griffin/Rex FeaturesThe view over Birmingham from the Bullring shopping centre. Photograph: Edd Griffin/Rex FeaturesPhotograph: Edd Griffin/Rex FeaturesThe view over Birmingham from the Bullring shopping centre. Photograph: Edd Griffin/Rex FeaturesRobert Booth2015-01-12T19:23:08ZSteven Emerson: the Fox news expert who thinks Birmingham is 'totally Muslim'http://www.theguardian.com/media/shortcuts/2015/jan/12/steven-emerson-muslims-birmingham-error-fox-news
<p>The so-called ‘expert on terrorism’ has a reputation for making this sort of ‘inexcusable error’</p><p><strong>Age: </strong>definitely over 50, maybe even 60, but honestly, don’t quote me.</p><p><strong>Appearance: </strong>frequent, apparently.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/shortcuts/2015/jan/12/steven-emerson-muslims-birmingham-error-fox-news">Continue reading...</a>Fox NewsTV newsFoxBirminghamMon, 12 Jan 2015 16:12:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/shortcuts/2015/jan/12/steven-emerson-muslims-birmingham-error-fox-newsPhotograph: InternetPhotograph: InternetGuardian Staff2015-01-12T16:12:07ZFox News expert: Birmingham is a ‘totally Muslim’ city – videohttp://www.theguardian.com/media/video/2015/jan/12/fox-news-expert-birmingham-muslim-city-video
Steven Emerson, who claims to be a terrorism expert, tells Fox News that Birmingham is a 'totally Muslim city' and London is patrolled by violent religious police. Emerson appeared as part of Fox News's coverage of the terrorist attacks in Paris. He later apologised for his comments, which he admitted were 'totally in error' <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/video/2015/jan/12/fox-news-expert-birmingham-muslim-city-video">Continue reading...</a>Fox NewsCharlie Hebdo attackBirminghamFranceMediaUS newsUK newsMon, 12 Jan 2015 15:55:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/video/2015/jan/12/fox-news-expert-birmingham-muslim-city-videoGuardian Staff2015-01-12T15:55:00ZFox News man is 'idiot' for Birmingham Muslim comments – David Cameronhttp://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/12/fox-news-expert-ridiculed-over-birmingham-is-totally-muslim-city-claims
<p>‘I choked on my porridge,’ British prime minister says in response to Steven Emerson’s claim that Birmingham is a ‘<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/11/fox-news-steven-emerson-birmingham-muslims">totally Muslim city</a>’ <br></p><p>The Fox News commentator who said the British city of Birmingham was a no-go zone for non-Muslims is a “complete idiot”, the prime minister, <a href="http://www.itv.com/news/central/update/2015-01-12/prime-minister-steven-emerson-is-clearly-an-idiot/">David Cameron, has said</a>.<br /></p><p>“When I heard this, frankly, I choked on my porridge and I thought it must be April Fools’ day,” Cameron said. “This guy’s clearly a complete idiot.”<br /></p><p>In Britain, it’s not just no-go zones, there are actual cities like Birmingham that are totally Muslim where non-Muslims just simply don’t go in.</p><p>And, parts of London, there are actually Muslim religious police that actually beat and actually wound seriously anyone who doesn’t dress according to religious Muslim attire.</p><p>Emerson and his staff frequently provide briefings to US government and law enforcement agencies, members of Congress and congressional committees.</p><p>If you are a non-muslim and would like to visit Birmingham <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/illridewithyou?src=hash">#illridewithyou</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FoxNewsFacts?src=hash">#FoxNewsFacts</a></p><p>You are not allowed to eat anything during daylight in Ramada Inns. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Foxnewsfacts?src=hash">#Foxnewsfacts</a></p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FoxNewsFacts?src=hash">#FoxNewsFacts</a> Left: before moving to Birmingham. Right: same man, after living in Birmingham. <a href="http://t.co/ne8fT92WM2">pic.twitter.com/ne8fT92WM2</a></p><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/foxnewsfacts?src=hash">#foxnewsfacts</a> The radical Islamic cleric John Imam. <a href="http://t.co/YmulkzY5LV">pic.twitter.com/YmulkzY5LV</a></p><p>Muslims have their own Mecca in Birmingham. They are trying to take over the whole UK now. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FoxNews?src=hash">#FoxNews</a> <a href="http://t.co/RYGJkuFB2q">pic.twitter.com/RYGJkuFB2q</a></p><p>Terrifying photo of how a typical Muslim from Birmingham guards the city gates against infidels. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/foxnewsfacts?src=hash">#foxnewsfacts</a> <a href="http://t.co/w1TJt93VEi">pic.twitter.com/w1TJt93VEi</a></p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/foxnewsfacts?src=hash">#foxnewsfacts</a> Spaghetti Junction was designed on Islamic Arabesque Art principles <a href="http://t.co/q5yVb0oQqg">pic.twitter.com/q5yVb0oQqg</a></p><p>Birmingham City Mosque is among the tallest and most sacred in all Islam. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FoxNewsFacts?src=hash">#FoxNewsFacts</a> <a href="http://t.co/4DPUoaz6CV">pic.twitter.com/4DPUoaz6CV</a></p><p>In <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Plymouth?src=hash">#Plymouth</a> the call to prayer is made from this distinctive minaret which was built by Francis Drake. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FoxNewsFacts?src=hash">#FoxNewsFacts</a> <a href="http://t.co/lOYfx3weX0">pic.twitter.com/lOYfx3weX0</a></p><p>In the Midlands, people we don't want to speak to are literally sent to Coventry - there's even a special bus for it. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FoxNewsFacts?src=hash">#FoxNewsFacts</a></p><p>According to reliable sources, Britain is dealing with a problematic ant infestation <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/foxnewsfacts?src=hash">#foxnewsfacts</a> <a href="http://t.co/GJlIWpXJnu">pic.twitter.com/GJlIWpXJnu</a></p><p>'Morris' religious police patrol The New Forest and physically harm any one found not wearing bells <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/foxnewsfacts?src=hash">#foxnewsfacts</a> <a href="http://t.co/zAkp97XxCG">pic.twitter.com/zAkp97XxCG</a></p><p>In the UK the Duchess of Cambridge is a stained-glass maker <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/foxnewsfacts?src=hash">#foxnewsfacts</a> <a href="http://t.co/9RpmkzOXWF">pic.twitter.com/9RpmkzOXWF</a></p><p>Breaking News!! UK Criminal Masterminds have finally perfected their 'Shrink Ray' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/foxnewsfacts?src=hash">#foxnewsfacts</a> <a href="http://t.co/mf3LLW2jHz">pic.twitter.com/mf3LLW2jHz</a></p><p>Some representations of some of the holiest figures in Birmingham <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/foxnewsfacts?src=hash">#foxnewsfacts</a> <a href="http://t.co/rbNBvPcjcl">pic.twitter.com/rbNBvPcjcl</a></p><p>The formation of rainbows. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/foxnewsfacts?src=hash">#foxnewsfacts</a> <a href="http://t.co/6uKoxvTy2v">pic.twitter.com/6uKoxvTy2v</a></p><p>Thanks <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews">@FoxNews</a> for reminding us all how graphs work...because 6 million is about 1/3 of 7 million? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/foxnewsfacts?src=hash">#foxnewsfacts</a> <a href="http://t.co/ozk44dnItV">pic.twitter.com/ozk44dnItV</a>”</p><p>Lie/Propaganda fails, to be precise. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FoxNews?src=hash">#FoxNews</a> confused could nt deliver right value for money paid by customer ! <a href="http://t.co/UvBf41CnEy">pic.twitter.com/UvBf41CnEy</a></p><p>Another example of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FoxNews?src=hash">#FoxNews</a> genius: <a href="http://t.co/3TTXnVRr66">pic.twitter.com/3TTXnVRr66</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/12/fox-news-expert-ridiculed-over-birmingham-is-totally-muslim-city-claims">Continue reading...</a>Fox NewsMediaUS newsThe news on TVFoxUK newsBirminghamTwitter21st Century FoxTelevision industryMon, 12 Jan 2015 11:06:14 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/12/fox-news-expert-ridiculed-over-birmingham-is-totally-muslim-city-claimsPhotograph: @MossTMC/TwitterPhotograph: @MossTMC/TwitterCarmen Fishwick2015-01-12T11:06:14ZBirmingham is ‘totally Muslim’ city, claims Fox News pundithttp://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/11/fox-news-steven-emerson-birmingham-muslims
<p>Steven Emerson later apologises for error as Twitter rounds on his view of Islam in Britain under the hashtag #FoxNewsFacts</p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/12/fox-news-expert-ridiculed-over-birmingham-is-totally-muslim-city-claims">Fox News expert ridiculed over Birmingham is ‘totally Muslim city’ claims</a></p><p>Non-Muslims do not go to the British city of Birmingham, which has become a “totally Muslim” city, it has been claimed. <a href="http://www.investigativeproject.org/4730/emerson-with-judge-pirro-no-go-islamic-zones#">Speaking on US news channel Fox News</a>, Steven Emerson – who claims to be a “terrorism expert” – also said that gangs of religious police in parts of London beat up people who are not wearing Islamic clothes.</p><p>Emerson later apologised for his comments, which he admitted were “totally in error”, and said he was planning to make a donation to the Birmingham Children’s hospital.</p><p>If you are a non-muslim and would like to visit Birmingham <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/illridewithyou?src=hash">#illridewithyou</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FoxNewsFacts?src=hash">#FoxNewsFacts</a></p><p>Plans are under way to rename the main shopping centre in Birmingham to The Kabul Ring. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/foxnewsfacts?src=hash">#foxnewsfacts</a></p><p>By the 1970s there were only a handful of white men left living in Birmingham. They were dubbed The Birmingham 6. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FoxNewsFacts?src=hash">#FoxNewsFacts</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/11/fox-news-steven-emerson-birmingham-muslims">Continue reading...</a>Fox NewsTV newsTelevision industryUS television industryFox21st Century FoxMediaTwitterBirminghamUK newsMon, 12 Jan 2015 09:37:46 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/11/fox-news-steven-emerson-birmingham-muslimsPhotograph: /Fox NewsSteven Emerson, right, speaking on Fox News. Photograph: Fox NewsPhotograph: /Fox NewsSteven Emerson, right, speaking on Fox News. Photograph: Fox NewsKevin Rawlinson2015-01-12T09:37:46Z